Filipino Virtual Assistants Interview

Name: Annie Rose Parina

Age: 26

Civil Status: Married

Address: Door 1, Garez Apartment, University Ave. Juna Subd.,Davao City

Here are the questions:

What did you do before freelancing?

I was a Bookkeeper way back in 2014. I rendered 2 years of service in a small cooperative in Bukidnon. After I got married, we transferred here in Davao City and luckily have my job as Loan Processor in a Corporate Company for 3 years. I started as a part-time freelancer and worked 8 hours a day in Corporate Company. I teach kids in 51Talk at night and that was my very 1st gig as a freelancer.

What made you decide to try freelancing?

It wasn't that hard for me to give up my corporate career because I was thinking about our situation right now. Having a toddler and a baby was never a joke for us. My husband is a pastor, and I have to think first about the Church's interest. If my husband will nurse our children, that would be a red flag for the Church. That's why I pursue this freelancing career.

Why did you choose FVA?

It is just so random, last April I got a series of emails. It was from an Academy for Online Freelancing Courses. Since then I became curious about freelancing. I saw FVA on Facebook which is way cheaper than the other. I took the chance and enrolled my self in REI Course which is REVA right now. I'm also confident to enroll in FVA because I knew that Ms. Grace and Coach Jay were Christians.

What's your life now?

Before freelancing: My husband nurses my 1st child (Abby) while I worked eight hours in the office. The Church's activity even got compromised sometimes and I was guilty of it. We only have one source of income at that time and It was hard for us financially. My daughter also couldn't recognize me as her mom, I become a stranger to my daughter.

After freelancing: I have time for my family and able to provide more for them. The church's activities are even more possible and effective because my husband can lead more and have time for God's people.

How many clients are you serving now?

I have 2 clients as of now

>Data Entry and Online Research - a client from London (Flexi-time)

>Virtual Assistant - a client from Tennessee (Full-time)

What is your focused niche?

As of now, I am still working on my brand as a Bookkeeper. I haven't take care of it since I already have a full-time job. I am using my current job now as a stepping stone for my career as a freelancer. I am looking forward to becoming more successful in the future.

What were the adjustments you would like to share with all our viewers when it comes to starting as a freelancer?

>The Attitude of Learning- You can't have a job in Freelancing if you have a "How, Interested, PM me, Details Please" attitude. Be resourceful all the time, make Youtube and Google as your best buddy when you have questions.

>Time Difference - On how your body will adapt to the client's time zone. It took me 2 weeks to adjust to the CST timezone.

What were the top 3 challenges along the way?

1. When I'm still working in the office I consumed all my paid leaves just to attend an interview and VA tests.

2.On how to deal with rejections. Whenever I got rejected from my application, I'll just stay professional on the replies, telling maybe in the future they will need my service.

3. The competition itself in freelancing. Giving your best to be on top was the most challenging part.

Three freelancing tips you can share yo everyone Learning/Advice

1. Be professional always in replying to a rejected application. I have an application last September 2019 and I was rejected by that company but after a month, they send emails again and referred me to another client. That client is still my client up to now.

2. Have a mentor or a support group and I highly recommend the Filipino Virtual Assistants group.

3. The power of mind-setting.

"If you think you can't, you are right. If you think you can, you are also right".

Be positive and always position yourself as an expert, don't stop learning but learn every day.